Adjustable roller guide



Sept. 3, 1968 F. STAKLINSKI ADJUSTABLE ROLLER GUIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed July '7, 1966 [III I "J! n u n n n INVENTOR. FRED 5 TA/(L uvsm A 7 TORNE Sept. 3, 1968 F. STAKLINSKI ADJUSTABLE ROLLER GUIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7, 1966 United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A roller for guiding traveling strips of different widths by having end members formed for supporting portions of the strips adjacent their longitudinal edges and having flanges to preclude sidewise motion of the strips. One, or both, of the end members being positionable axially of the body member of the roller to two different positions. Such positions are determined by resilient means carried by one of the roller body, or end, members which are engageable with recesses in the other member, with those recesses being in sets spaced longitudinally and circumferentially from each other to establish the adjusted positions. It is only necessary to turn the end member with respect to the roller body to move the resilient means out of one set of recesses, then slide the end member axially while turning it to the required circumferential extent to engage with the next set. The roller may also include a sprocket for driving a perforated strip.

In the processing of strip material it is frequently necessary to handle strip material of different widths in successive runs through the same apparatus. This is true, for example, in the developing of negative film strips which have a first, narrower width, and then the processing of positive film strips, printed from the negative strip, such positive strips having a greater width than the negative strip as by reason of including a sound track edge portion outwardly of the perforations therein. The roller of the present invention, including the modifications thereof incorporating a strip forwarding sprocket, makes it possible easily to adapt the system for the successive treatment of such film strips of different width.

Typical of the use to which the rollers and/or strip tensioning forwarding devices of the present invention map be put are those wherein a negative edge perforated film strip having a width of 65 mm. is first developed and processed through a developing system, following which a positive film strip, printed from such negative strip, having a width of 70 mm. is developed and fixed in the same processing system. The picture-containing portion of the positive film strip is of the same width 'as that of the negative film strip, but there is disposed outwardly of the perforations on one edge or both edges of the positive film strip an edge strip having a width of 5 mm. which carries the sound track accompanying the pictures on the strip. The roller and strip tensioning, that is, either forwarding or retarding, device of the present invention makes it possible for the same guides and strip tensioning devices to be employed with but simple adjustments thereof in the processing of both of such film strips. In both of its adjusted positions such rollers and strip tensioning devices support the film strips accurately, as regards their lateral positioning, and do so by contact only with their outer edges and/or the perforations therein so that scuffing and/or marring of picture and sound track areas of the film strips are avoided.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a novel roller for guiding strip material which is characterized by the ease with which it may be adjusted to guide strip materials of different widths.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a roller of the type described for use with edge perforated strip material, such device including at least one sprocket disc for engaging one or more rows of perforations in the material whereby the device positively forwards the strip material.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved roller guide and/or strip tensioning device which is adjustable to accommodate strip material of different widths and which, in each of its adjusted positions, supports the strip material accurately laterally with respect to its path of travel by engaging only the edge portions of the strip.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view in longitudinal section through a film developing and fixing system incorporating roller guides and sprocket devices in accordance with the invention, the view of the system being shortened by the breaking away of parts of the developing tank and of the fixing tank, certain of the parts being shown in side elevation;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of a roller guide device including a sprocket in accordance with the invention, the device being shown mounted on a fragmentarily shown shaft, such device being shown adjusted to accommodate a first, narrower Width of film strip;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the sprocket device per se adjusted to accommodate a second, wider film strip;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the roller guide and sprocket device of FIGS. 2 and 3, certain of the parts being shown in vertical axial section;

FIG. 5 is a view in end elevation of the roller guide and sprocket device of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a portion of the end plate of such device being broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 of a sprocket device per se, but with both film strip engaging end flanges thereof adjusted axially outwardly of the body of the device so as to accommodate a film strip of maximum width;

FIG. 7 is a view in end elevation of a roller guide in accordance with the invention and shown employed in the film processing system of FIG. 1, such roller guide being shown adjusted to accommodate a film strip of minimum width, a rotatable shaft on which the roller guide is mounted being fragmentarily shown;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but with the film strip supporting flange members of the roller guide adjusted to engage a film strip of maximum width;

FIG. 9 is a view in vertical axial section through the roller guide of the invention adjusted into the position of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in axial section on an enlarged scale of one of the detent mechanisms associated with the flange members of the roller guide of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the detent mechanism being shown retaining the flange member in its axially inner adjusted position;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but with the flange member adjusted into its axially outer position; and

FIG. 12 is a view in end elevation of the roller guide device of FIGS. 7-11, inclusive, a portion of the end plate of such roller guide being broken away for clarity of illustration.

Turning now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is schematically shown a film strip processing system including a developing tank and a fixing tank 11. Film strip there designated 13 is delivered from a supply reel 12 by a sprocket device 14 driven by means not shown from which it is forwarded to a first roller guide 15 which is disposed in the developing tank 10 beneath the upper surface of the developing fluid therein. After travelling longitudinally through the tank 10, the film strip 13- passes under and partially upwardly around a second roller guide 16, also immersed in the developing fluid, to a second sprocket device 17 which is driven in synchronism with the first sprocket device 14. From the sprocket device 17 the film strip travels through further stages of the system, as, for instance, through a rinsing stage (not shown), and is thereafter forwarded by a further sprocket device 19 downwardly to an idle roller guide 20 in a fixing bath in tank 11 through which the film strip travels longitudinally, as shown. The film strip is removed from tank 11 by being caused to travel beneath and partially upwardly around a roller guide 21, being pulled forwardly by a yet further driven sprocket device 22. From sprocket device 22 the film strip travels through conventional further processing stages such as a dryer and finally to a take-up reel, not shown.

In accordance with the present invention, the sprocket devices 14, 17, 19, and 22 are made so as readily to be adjustable for accommodating film strips of different widths. Such sprocket devices in the illustrative system are of the same construction; consequently, a description of the device 14 will suffice. The sprocket device 14 is shown in FIG. 2 as supporting and having driving engagement with a film strip 24 which may, for example, have a width of 65 mm. and in FIG. 3 as being adjusted to support and drive a film strip 25 which may have a width, for exam- 3 ple, of 70 mm. As will appear hereinafter, such sprocket device 14 is capable of still further adjustment, as shown in FIG. 6, to support and drive a yet wider film strip 64. The film strips 24, 25, and 64 are shown as having one row of edge perforations 26 along the right-hand edge thereof, such perforations being engaged, in each mode of adjustment of the sprocket device, by the teeth on a sprocket disc 40, to be described. The film strip 25 exceeds strip 24 in width by a narrow sound track edge portion 27 disposed outwardly of the row of perforations 26 in the film strip 25. Film strip 64 (FIG. 6) exceeds the film strip 25 in width by the width of a further edge portion 65 on the left-hand unperforated edge of the strip, as shown.

The construction of the sprocket device 14 will be more readily apparent upon consideration of FIGS. 4 and 5. As there shown, the sprocket device has a cylindrical body 29 having a central bore 28 therethrough, such bore being adapted accurately to receive a shaft such as that shown at 30 in FIG. 2. The body 29 is retained from rotation on the shaft by set screws 31 of which two are shown, the set screws being mounted in threaded bores 32 in the body. The sprocket device 14 is shown provided with two flange members which are adjustable axially of the body, the flange member at the left (FIGS. 2-4) being designated 34 and that at the right being designated 34. Body 29 has opposite end surfaces 35 which are disposed in planes transverse to the axis of the body. Oppositely projecting coaxially of body 29 from the ends of the body are two cylindrical hollow bosses 36 having bores therein Which are prolongations of the bore 28 in the body. The bosses 36 have cylindrical outer surfaces 37 which serve accurately slidably to support the respective flange members 34 and 34'.

Fixedly attached to the left-hand end of body 29 coaxially thereof is a film edge-engaging or supporting disc 39 which is secured to the body by a plurality of machine screws 47 which extend through the disc and into threaded bores 48 in the left-hand end of the body. A sprocket disc 40 is similarly affixed coaxially of body 29 to the right-hand end of body 29 by a plurality of simi- 4 lar machine screws 47, as indicated in FIG. 4. Thus the film strip edge-engaging disc 39 and the sprocket disc 40 remain fixed with respect to the body 29 of the sprocket regardless of the adjusted position of the flange members thereon.

The flange members 34 and 34' are similar in construction, and so only member 34 need be described. Such flange member has a main thick disc-like element 43 with a central hole 53 therein, such hole accurately slidingly receiving the respective boss 36. Element 43 has a radially outer flange with an axially inwardly inclined inner flange surface 41 and a cylindrical root surface 42 which supports the edge of the film strip, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6. The root surface 42 of the flange member, which lies c-oaxially of disc 39 and sprocket 40, has a diameter which is the same as that of the disc 39 so that it lies at the same level as the cylindrical outer surface 44 of such disc.

The sprocket disc 40 has a plurality of equally spaced radially projecting teeth 46 thereon adapted to engage the edge perforations or sprocket holes in the various film strips with which the sprocket device is adapted to be used. Between successive teeth 46 the sprocket disc 40 is provided with cylindrical root portions which are located on a circle of the same diameter as and coaxial with the root surfaces 42 of the opposed flange members 34 and 34 and the peripheral surface 44 of the disc 39.

Each of the flange members 34 and 34' is provided with a releasable detent means which engages axially spaced seats in each of the respective boss 36, whereby stably to retain the flange members in either of two positions axially of the body 29 of the sprocket device. Such detent means, of which two are shown as being employed with each of the flange members, are housed within recesses in the flange members 43 proper and are covered by a respective end plate 49 having a central hole 58 therein receiving the outer end of boss 36. The end plate is retained in a circular seat 50 in the outer end of its flange member, and is secured thereto by two machine screws 51, as shown.

Each of the bosses 36 is shown provided with a first axially inner set of opposed transverse grooves 52 and with a second axially outer seat of opposed transverse grooves 54 which are displaced from grooves 52. When each of the flanges 34, 34' is in its axially inner position, the detent members carried thereby engage the recesses 52, and when such flange member is in its axially outer position such detents engage recesses 54.

As shown in FIG. 5, such detent members, which are generally designated by the reference character 57, are in the form of L-shaped spring wires having an elongated main portion 59, the central portion of which is selectively received within one of the grooves 52, 54 and the shorter of tang portion 60 thereof is received within a longitudinally extending bore (not specifically shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) in the body 29 of the sprocket device. A flange member 34, 34' may be moved from one of its axial positions to the other by turning it relative to body 29, thereby to cam the detents out of the grooves in which they were engaged. Upon the turning of the flange member 90 and effecting the axial travel thereof, the central portion of the part 59 of the detents then snap into the other set of grooves 52, 54 thereby to retain the flange member in its new, adjusted position. In order positively to prevent the escape of the flange members 34, 34' from the body of the sprocket device, each of the bosses 36 thereof is provided with an end stop member in the form of a split spring ring 61 which is snapped into an annular groove 62 at the end of the respective boss. In the preferred embodiment shown, the spring rings 61 are abutted by the outer surfaces of the respective flange members 34, 34' when such members lie in their axially outer positions with respect to the body 29 of the sprocket device 14. When such flange members lie in their axially inner positions, the inner surface of flange member 34 engages disc 39, and the inner surface of flange member 34' engages the sprocket disc 40.

As above indicated, the sprocket device 14 accommodates a narrower film strip 24 when the flange members 34, 34 are both in their axially inner positions. When the right-hand flange member 34' is pulled outwardly into its axially outer position but the left-hand flange member 34 remains in the same position as in FIG. 2, the sprocket 14 accommodates the wider film strip 25 which has the added sound track bearing edge portion 27 thereon. When both of the flange members 34, 34' are pulled outwardly into their outer axial positions as shown in FIG. 6, the sprocket member accommodates the widest film strip 64, which is wider than strip 25 (FIG. 3) by the width of the edge portion 65 which is shown at the left of the film strip 64 (FIG. 6).

In FIGS. 7-12, inclusive, there is shown an adjustable roller guide which is generally designated and which may be employed for the various roller guides designated 15, 16, 20, and 21 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 7 the roller guide 15 is shown mounted upon a fragmentarily depicted shaft 66. The body of the roller guide, which is generally in the form of a sleeve 67, is adapted to be affixed to the shaft 66 by one or more set screws 68 which are threadedly received in tapped holes 69 in the sleeve 67. The various shafts upon which the roller guides are mounted, including the shaft 66 for the guide 15, are mounted for rotation in suitable bearings (not shown).

The roller guide 15 is symmetrical in an axial direction from its transverse central plane. On each end of the body 67 there is mounted a stepped flange body 70, each such body having four film strip edge-receiving steps of which those receiving the film strip 24 (FIG. 7) are designated 71. Each of the stepped bodies 70 is provided with an axially outer end flange 72 in the form of a disc which is attached to the outer end of the stepped body by a plurality of machine screws 74. Each of the stepped bodies 70 is adjustable from the axially inner position thereof shown in FIG. 7 to the axially outer position shown in FIG. 8 where the steps 71 are shown supporting the wide film strip 64. In their axially inwardly adjusted positions the stepped bodies 70 are in engagement with inner stops 75 which are in the form of spring rings snapped into peripheral grooves in the outer surface .of the body 67. In their axially outer adjusted positions each of the stepped bodies 70 is in engagement with outer stop members 77 which are likewise in the form of spring rings which are snapped into annular grooves in the outer end portions 76 of the body 67.

As above mentioned, spring detent means are employed releasably selectively to retain each of the stepped bodies 70 in either of its two axially adjusted positions. Such means are generally the same as those employed in the sprocket device of FIGS. 2-6, inclusive. Thus somewhat inwardly of its outer ends 76 the body 67 is provided with a first set of transverse grooves 79 and somewhat outwardly thereof with a second set of transverse grooves 80 which are displaced 90 about the axis of the body 67 on the grooves 79. Each of the stepped bodies 70 is provided in its outer end with a generally chordally extending recess 81, such recess having radially outer extensions 82 at each of its opposite ends. A spring detent generally designated 84 is received in each of the recesses 81, the detent having an elongated inwardly bent wire portion 85 and a short axially extending tang 86. Each of the detents 84 for the respective stepped members 70 is received within the respective groove 79 when the members 70 are in their axially inner positions and are received within the respective grooves 80 when the stepped members have been turned and pulled axially outwardly. As shown, the radially inner portion of each of the discs 72 covers the recesses 81 and the detent members 84 contained therein, as shown in FIG. 9, whereby to retain the spring detents stably in position within the recesses in the member 70.

Because the roller guides and/ or sprocket members of the invention are adapted to be employed with liquids which are at least :rnildly corrosive, the various metal portions of such devices are made of corrosion resistant metals such as stainless steel, bronze, and the like. The stepped members of the adjustable roller guides, as well as the flange members 34 and 34' of the sprocket device, may be made of a suitable strong wear resistant plastic material, such as Micarta.

The roller for guiding strip material disclosed herein may, as indicated above, function as an idler roller (FIGS. 7-12, inclusive), and as a driven (FIGS. 26, inclusive) tensioning and strip forwarding device having a positive mechanical connection with the strip by means of one or more sprocket discs on the device engaging one or more rows of performations in the strip. The device may also, as disclosed, tension a travelling strip in either direction, that is, forward or retard the strip by purely frictional driving or retarding engagement between the device and the strip. For such purpose, the strip engaging surfaces of the device may either be coated with or made of material having a high coefficient of friction with the strip material.

Although the roller of the invention has been shown in FIGS. 26, inclusive, as cooperating with a strip of material, specifically a film strip, having but one row of perforations therein, it is to be understood that, if desire-d, the roller may be provided with any number of sprocket discs suitably spaced axially of the body of the device and aflixed thereto to cooperate with laterally spaced rows of perforations with which the strip being handled may be provided. Thus, 'for example, if the strip is provided with rows of perforations along each of its edges, a sprocket disc may be substituted for the strip edge engaging member 39 in the embodiment of FIGS. 26, inclusive.

The sprocket device in accordance with the invention, and illustrated in one embodiment thereof in FIGS. 26, inclusive, is shown handling only one strip. It is to be understood, however, that with suitable dimensioning of the body of the sprocket device and the mounting of suitably spaced lfurther sprocket discs thereon, two or more perforated strips can be handled simultaneously in edgeto-edge relationship by the same set of one or more sprocket devices in accordance with the invention.

Although a limited number of embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it is to be especially understood that various changes, such as in the relative dimensions of the parts, materials used, and the like, as well as the suggested manner of use of the apparatus of the invention, may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A roller for guiding a travelling strip, comprising an elongated main body, said main body being adapted to be mounted for rotation about its axis, two axially spaced members having circular strip edge supporting peripheries mounted on the body coaxially thereof, interengaging means on at least one of said members and on said body formed to releasably interengage at axially and circumferentially spaced positions with respect to said body for the adjustable positioning of said member longitudinally of the body, and a strip edge engaging flange mounted on the body outwardly of each of said members, whereby said roller may selectively accommodate and guide strips of different widths.

2. A roller as claimed in claim 1, said interengaging means including abutment means on the body of the roller, and releasable means carried by said adjustable member for engagement with said abutment means.

3. A roller as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are interengaging means on both of said circular strip edge supporting members and said body, for selectively stably retaining each of said members from rotation and from longitudinal movement with respect to the body in one of at least two different positions longitudinally of the body.

4. A roller for guiding a travelling strip, comprising an elongated main body, said main body being adapted to be mounted for rotation about its axis, two axially spaced members having circular strip edge supporting peripheries mounted on the body coaxial thereof, both of said circular strip edge supporting members are adjustable longitudinally of the body, and comprising releasable means for selectively stably retaining each of said members from rotation and from longitudinal movement with respect to the body in one of at least two different positions longitudinally of the body, said releasable means comprises a recess in the body, and a spring pressed detent connected to the adjustable strip edge supporting member and adapted selectively to snap into and to be slid out of said recess, and a strip edge engaging flange mounted on said body outwardly of each of said members, whereby said roller may selectively accommodate and guide strips of different widths.

5. A roller as claimed in claim 1 adapted for use with an edge-perforated strip, and comprising a sprocket disc secured to the body adjacent one end thereof, said sprocket disc having teeth thereon adapted to engage the edge perforations in the strip.

6. A roller as claimed in claim 1 adapted for use with a perforated strip, and comprising a sprocket disc secured to the body, said sprocket disc having teeth thereon adapted to engage the perforations in the strip.

7. A roller as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sprocket disc is secured to the body axially inwardly of the said one circular strip edge supporting member and of the said one flange which are disposed adjacent said one end of the body.

8. A roller for guiding a travelling strip, comprising an elongated main body, said main body being adapted to be mounted for rotation about its axis, two axially spaced members having narrow circular strip edge supporting peripheries mounted on the body coaxially thereof, at least one of said members being adjustable longitudinally of the body, and a strip edge engaging flange mounted on the body outwardly of each of said peripheries, whereby said roller may selectively accommodate and guide strips of different widths and further narrow circular strip edge supporting peripheries on said body disposed coaxially of and axially inwardly of said first recited circular strip edge supporting peripheries and having a shorter radius than said first recited peripheries.

9. A roller for guiding a travelling strip, comprising an elongated main body, said main body being adapted to be mounted for rotation about its axis, two axially spaced members having circular strip edge supporting peripheries mounted on the body coaxial thereof, at least one of said members being adjustable longitudinally of the body, and a strip edge engaging flange mounted on the body outwardly of each of said members, said roller being adapted for use with a penforated strip, and comprising a sprocket disc secured to the body, said sprocket disc having teeth thereon adapted to engage the perforations in the strip, being secured to the body axially inwardly of the said one circular strip edge supporting member and of the said one flange which are disposed adjacent said one end of the body, said sprocket disc having the surfaces between successive teeth thereon lying on a circle coaxial with the circular strip edge supporting member peripheries and of the same diameter as such peripheries, a further circular strip edge engaging member on said body disposed coaxially of and axially inwardly of said one of the first recited circular strip edge supporting members which lie at the said one end of the body, axially outwardly extending bosses on the body at the opposite ends thereof, the sprocket and the further circular strip edge supporting member being secured to opposite ends of the body, and said axially spaced circular strip edge supporting members being mounted on said bosses.

10. A roller as claimed in claim 2, said releasable means comprising a spring member.

11. A roller as claimed in claim 10, said spring member comprising a wire leaf spring member adapted to seat in recesses providing said abutment means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,346,158 10/1967 Hanson et al. 22679 601,162 3/1898 Pain 242--71.9 1,163,557 12/1915 Reising 22676 1,882,413 10/1932 Edouart 226 2,155,518 4/1939 Wehner 22676 2,608,876 9/1952 Miller 74--243 2,766,041 10/1956 Teplitz 226199 1,361,919 12/ 1920 Sommermeyer '74-243 1,781,937 11/1930 Victor 74243 1,880,980 10/1932 Page 74243 2,468,025 4/ 1949 Boecking 74243 2,493,612 1/ 1950 Blanchet 74243 X M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

I. P. MULLINS, Assistant Examiner. 

